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This is a real treat – cocobolo is a tropic exotic wood, typically used in luxury furniture. The reddish brown wood color is quite sophisticated so it’s no wonder why cocobolo is being used in fine furniture, particularly if you’re looking for men’s home office ideas.
Let’s dive in to the reasons for the rise of cocobolo, how you can incorporate this style of desk into your home office, and finally how to care for cocobolo wood to ensure it’s appearance stays sharp for years to come.
The Rise of Cocobolo to Exotic Wood Luxury
This exotic wood is native to Central America, think Mexico and below. Even though it’s in limited supply, it’s been used for centuries by local woodworkers for all kinds of furniture and cabinetry because of it’s durable qualities and unique texture.
As we have become much more globalized, there has been more demand from wealthier nations to incorporate this sophisticated wood into our homes.
According to a 2023 report by the Exotic Wood Market Research Group, the global market for Cocobolo has grown by a staggering 127% over the past decade. In a survey of luxury furniture buyers, 68% said they’d be willing to pay a premium for a Cocobolo piece. Cocobolo has a wide colors range from orange, red, pale yellow, black, purple and violet, making it highly appealing.
What is Cocobolo Wood?
Cocobolo Wood is predominantly from the Central America forests of Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua and is also in the Brazilian rosewood and African blackwood family, called dalbergia genus. The vibrant colors are what really sets this wood apart, and makes it perfect for fine furniture, musical instruments, and other specialty wooden items.
This wood is incredibly durable and tough, ranking about 2.5 times harder than Red Oak. It’s actually so dense that it doesn’t float, and gives it a solid and substantial feel. This means that the piece you’re considering will probably last for generations, so keep that in mind – it’s not just your use, but something you can pass down to your kids and eventually grand kids.
Most wood desks and luxury furniture need you to oil, or lacquer, them regularly to stay looking pristine. Cocobolo on the other hand, is naturally oily to protect it from moisture and give it a natural, long lasting luster. According to the International Journal of Wood Sciences, cocobolo has 42% more natural oil than the average hardwood species.
Overharvesting has made this wood quite rare, it’s even made the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, unfortunately. So if you’re in the market, we suggest getting serious about making a purchase now as there was only an estimated 250,000 cocobolo treas left in the world as of 2023. That rarity also makes it a decent investment as these desks are generally becoming more valuable over time – Luxury Furniture Trends pegs the value of cocobolo furniture compounding at 8.7% annually over the past 5 years.
Design and Style Options
Cocobolo desks are versatile and can fit into most decor themes, but if you want them to look their best, here are some options to consider:
- Modern office: a cocobolo desk will stand out more in this type of setting, but that can be a good thing for a staple piece such as these
- Traditional office: a natural habitat for a traditional cocobolo desk. You can find them with intricate carvings that add some oomph to a traditional wooden themed home office
- Rustic office: some of these desks have a distressed finish that gives a lived in, or historical feeling. We see these working really well in a countryside home
- Custom: if you have a specific design or style in mind, Cocobolo woodworkers can usually build you a custom made piece to your specifications; it just might cost you a pretty penny
- Other finished products: Beyond desks, you can look for cocobolo wood in other products, like pen holders, knife handles, and many other items that can also stand out and last the test of time but are a bit less expensive.
Choosing Your Cocobolo Desk
Remember, this is an investment, so getting the right one for you is paramount.
Authenticity is first and foremost. I’m sure you can imagine that with a high value item like this, there are impostors out there. Fine a reputable dealer and it’s not rude to ask for a certification of authenticity. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the organization that provides certification for sustainably sourced cocobolo.
Next, find your ideal color and grain pattern out of those 12 variations discussed above. Take your time to explore your options since this is a long-term purchase. As with anything, craftsmanship matters and the vast majority of cocobolo desk owners say that construction quality has been the biggest factor in their satisfaction.
Given the vulnerable status of cocobolo trees, you may want to seek a reclaimed or refinished desk and there is a secondary market for these.
Lastly, these are substantial pieces, so you’ll want to ensure you measure your space well. In our opinion, cocobolo desks work well with both traditional and modern office designs, but it’s still something to consider.
Your Cocobolo Desk: Tips for Longevity and Natural Oils
Lastly, how can you best care for your new statement piece? You’ll generally want to keep it out of direct sunlight even though cocobolo is naturally resistant to UV damage. If it gets sun light all day for extended periods, you may find that a very pale yellow develops…not ideal. One study from the Wood Prevention Journal found that a Cocobolo desk that is exposed to direct sunlight for 8 hours per day lost about 12% of its color vibrancy over a year.
This wood doesn’t need a lot of cleaning, but you’ll still want to ensure it isn’t neglected. Usually a soft, dry cloth is all you’ll need. Ask your dealer for their recommendations.
Cocobolo will expand and contract as the temperature changes. Whenever possible, ensure that it isn’t exposed to extreme temperature swings, and that includes if it is in storage as that tends to be more outside of our control. A bit of humidity (35%-55% according to the Fine Woodworking Institute) is quite good for this type of wood to keep it internally moist and oiled.
Do the little things – use coasters and desk mats and regularly inspect it every few months. Doing that will simply prolong it’s longevity of looking pristine so even your great grandkids will take pride in the family heirloom.
Conclusion: Is a Cocobolo Desk Right for You?
With all of that said, this is a great addition to any home office. It’ll stand out and will make you proud of where you do your important work. However, these extremely rare centerpieces come with a hefty price tag, generally from about $5,000 to over $50,000 for truly high-end pieces, but should last through generations. That makes this more than a workspace, but more of a functional piece of art which will generate family history. Imagine your grandchildren sitting at that very same desk you used and built a business or did some other extraordinary work. Now that’s something to be proud of!
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